The Defence Teaming Centre (DTC) brings together the defence supply and support industry, benefiting Prime Defence contractors, SMEs, Professional Service Providers and Academic Institutions. DTC supports and assists members to develop effective, competitive and collaborative business relationships.

The DTC has extensive and proven experience in connecting companies, both nationally and internationally, to secure opportunities that deliver successful outcomes for all. The defence industry is made up of approximately 3000 SMEs. The DTC works to connect smaller businesses with the Prime Defence contractors.

DTC is the connection between SMEs and the following Industry representative bodies and initiatives:

Australian Defence Alliance (ADA)

The Australian Defence Alliance (ADA) has been formed by collaboration between the Defence Teaming Centre, AIDN Victoria, the Victorian Defence Alliances and the Henderson Alliance, to offer the best service possible to companies working in defence and related industry.

ADA will adopt the principles of ISO 44001-2016 Collaborative business relationship management systems – Requirements and framework, as the foundation of the relationships between the various associations joining the Alliance.

ADA is a member-focussed collaboration of industry associations established to:

  • Deliver effective, professional experienced support to defence and related industries in Australia
  • Facilitate and contribute to the growth of the defence and related industries in Australia
  • Promote collaborative commercial activities between members of defence and related industries in Australia
  • Represent the collective membership in the ongoing Defence and industry policy formulation process through the provision of professional knowledgeable advice

ADA encourages member associations to retain their own individuality and regional service delivery to its existing membership.  It is with a strong diversity of capability, knowledge and skills that Australia will get the best out of its indigenous defence industry.

To achieve the mission and vision of ADA, the representatives of the member associations will work collaboratively to maximize the benefits of the experience, skills and knowledge of the association leadership, and achieve the best outcome for Australia’s defence and related industry.

Australian Industry Group Defence Council National Executive

The DTC is a member of the Australian Industry Group Defence Council. Being a member of this council provides the DTC the opportunity to professionally represent its SME members, and work with other associations to advance the Australian SME defence industry sector.

The DTC participates in the various working groups, which address Security, Export Control and Commercial Contracting and Ethics.

The Defence Council has also formed the Defence Industry SME Forum. DTC representatives will participate in the SME Forum on a regular basis.

The DTC uses objective research methods to collect and analyse industry perspectives from its members, for input into SME Forum policy matters to inform Defence Council policy recommendations to government.

DTC will also seek the coordinated comment/perspective from its SME membership, and through the Defence Industry Workforce Focus Group and will provide specialist representation on workforce and skilling issues from an SME perspective.

Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC)

The DTC works collaboratively with the CDIC to disseminate important Defence industry policy information, events and updates to Australian industry through our membership network, webpage and social media channels.

We continually review the development needs of our members and communicate these to the CDIC. This informs the timely delivery of training programs such as ITAR training, value proposition and cyber training programs.

In assessing the requirements of members, our Industry Development staff can advise them of the most appropriate CDIC service offerings. This allows for the potential streamlining of the application process for CDIC services.

Leveraging from the services provided by the CDIC, the DTC also works with industry to establish collaborative contracting arrangements and commercial connections, without compromising Commonwealth probity provisions.

Naval Shipbuilding Industry Reference Committee

In its capacity as the Chair of the Defence Industry Education and Skills Consortium, the DTC holds a position on the new Naval Shipbuilding Industry Reference Committee (IRC). The Naval Shipbuilding IRC is made up of industry experts and organisational representatives who have knowledge of the skills needed to inform the development of appropriate training packages. It will:

  • Work with the Naval Shipbuilding College to understand workforce requirements for the naval shipbuilding and sustainment industry
  • Examine relevant competencies, skillsets and national training package qualifications to identify and address any skills gaps
  • Examine new approaches to career structuring, progression and transition in the sector, and the education pathways needed to support these
  • Scope opportunities for collaboration across vocational education and training, higher education and other industry sectors to take advantage of the opportunities presented by naval shipbuilding
  • Work in partnership with relevant IRCs to lead industry’s response to the needs identified
Australian Industry Capability

The Australian Industry Capability Policy represents a significant opportunity for greater involvement of the Australian SME community in Defence supply chain opportunities.  The policy facilitates the incorporation of Australian Research and Development, innovation and capability into major programs; thus enabling the establishment of an Australian sovereign industrial capability for Defence.

The DTC is able to educate and train overseas industry on compliance with AIC Policy and establishing an AIC Strategy at the commencement of a bid.  We also work with overseas OEMs and defence primes, sourcing Australian industrial capability, to inform future bids and proposals through independent market research and national industry briefings.

Through our affiliation with industry associations across Australia and New Zealand, DTC can ensure a consistent standardised approach is achieved in each location, whilst maximising our reach to Australian and New Zealand industry.

Defence Industry Security Program (DISP)

The Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) is a risk mitigation and assurance program maintaining the integrity of Australia’s Defence capability by ensuring Defence Industry maintains its security responsibilities and safeguards the supply chain.

The DISP is managed by Defence Security and Vetting Service (DS&VS) and provides members with the information, guidance and assistance they need to protect Defence information, materials and capabilities.